KMF achieves milestone by processing one crore litres of milk a day

BENGALURU: The Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has achieved a milestone by processing one crore litres per day. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sounded a gong to mark the achievement at his home office ‘Krishna’ today. He also performed puja to a cow on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM noted that last July, the KMF had processed 90 lakh litres which has increased to one crore litres this July. “This is a milestone in KMF history”, he said. Recalling that he was Animal Husbandry minister for a brief period, Siddaramaiah said, “The dairies were then brought under the milk unions. Now we have 15 milk unions which are procuring and selling milk”.

“Since milk production is high, additional quantity of 50 ml is being given to customers. For this, Rs 2 extra is being collected. We cannot refuse milk from farmers, hence were are giving more to consumers at a revised price. The opposition does not understand this and are indulging in misinformation. They are anti-farmer”, the CM said.

He also advised the opposition BJP not to politicise the issue. “For one crore litres of milk, the government is giving Rs 5 crore as subsidy to help farmers. Earlier, I myself had raised the subsidy for farmers from Rs 2 to Rs 5; Opposition leader R Ashoka does not know anything and claims price rise. We have not increased the price; we only increased the volume and are charging additionally for it. Compared to neighbouring states, the price of milk in Karnataka is still less”.

On subsidy dues towards farmers, the CM said, “We will give that too, it was pending from the time of the previous BJP government. The BJP should be questioned about it”. The CM’s cabinet colleagues K N Rajanna, Byrathi Suresh, Zameer Ahmed Khan, KMF president Bheema Nayak, former MP D K Suresh and other were present.